Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-12
Between Two Degrees.

Many little points of exceeding interest
to s.ockmen came up during the examina-
ton of the cattle upon the farm of Mr..
John E. Hamilton of Garland one day
last week These cattle, as our readers
know, are under quarantine and were in
spected lately by two of the most compe-
tent veterinary inspectors in the country.
DIR. George H. Bailey of Portland, and
Dr. Williamson Dryden of Boston. The
latter gentleman is an Englishman, was
educated at the best veterinary schools in
England and on the Continent, and has
practiced the profession for more than
twenty years, the last seven of which have
been in the service of the great steamship
companies which ship thousands of cattle
to Europe from this country. 1t is safe
to say that the inspection of our domestic
animals could have no more competent
men to pronounce upon their health than
those Just named One point in the tests
for disease in the Hamilton herd, as in all
eases. was that of ascertaining the internal
temperature OF the system, indicated by
inserting a self-registering thermometer
into the rectum. The cattle were driven
from pasture half mile away to the
barn at mid day the day being very warm.
The first animal examined registered
104 20, which is an unusually high tenn
perature In normal or healthtul condi-
ton the temperature of cattle does not
vary a fraction of degree. scarcely, from
l0l. When the high registering of this
first steer was made, it was suggested that
the hot day and the active exercise of
being driven down from the pasture
would make quite a difference above
opinion, DR.. Dryden said the conditions
would not materially increase the animal
temperature. He stated that in long
experience in the inspection of cattle
brought long distance in the cars and
then put on ship-board, he had never
known an instance where this extra exer-
ton and excitement had made a difference
Of more than one degree; and in the pres
ent case, DR.. Bryden remarked, he should
not expect the heated day and extra
driving to make but very slight change
In animal heat.
The examination of the fifteen head of
cattle at Mr.. Hamiltons barn occupied
something over an hour, and at its close
/. was suggested that the temperature OF
tle first steer examined be again taken.
The thermometer registered 103. the
the highest with one exception OF any
animal il the nerd. This exception was
in case of roam steer, three years old,
which indicated 104 Is. On the 2Sth of
April last when the herd was inspected by
Dr. Bailey. the first named steer had a
temperature of 1922 and the last named
or roam steer, of 1872 2-5. AL the
cattle examined last week indicated
temperature ranging from 102 2.5 to
l04 2-5, Now this slight increase above
healthful condition, (Which is 10D, from
| % to 8 2-5 only, seems very slight in
deed, and soitis, but just here on this
narrow margin of one to three degrees is
the turning point between health and
disease. At 10l is full health-at 102 is
a rspicious indication which says plainly
"lhere is something wrong about that ami
NAL - II is an extremely narrow maroin
and dangerous one; but let us rejoice
that in only a few instances, so far as our
general farm stock are concerned, is the
suspicious temperature known to he
reached.